Tag Archive | makeup

Happy Sunday! Hope everyone is doing well. My favorite store Ulta, sent me a 20% off everything coupon today. I was planning on stopping there today anyway, so getting the coupon was a plus! I received a sample of Anastasia Brow Wiz recently from Ulta, and fell in love with this eponymous line. I have tried many brow products in the past, and have been satisfied, or so I thought. The sample I tried was Taupe, which was perfect for me. The regular price is $21, I paid $12.60, with my 20% of and rewards dollars. The photo below is not the best, but you get the idea.

My eyebrows are very light, and this product goes on like a dream.

I needed a new daily SPF, so I picked up this e.l.f. Beauty Shield SPF 50 for $7.20, the regular price is $12 for 1.69 ounces. It has a tint, which worked well for my skin. Here’s Ulta’s description: This SPF 50 Skin Shielding Moisturizer contains powerful antioxidants Carrot Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, and Vitamin C. Featuring a sheer, universal tint, this moisturizer protects your skin from everyday environmental aggressors.

All e.l.f. skincare products are free from Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates. It’s also cruelty free.

I loved the fact that it’s an SPF 50. I had skin cancer on my face this year, so I’ve been super careful to always be protected. With it being tinted, you get very light coverage, on par with a BB cream.

I needed some new eye shadow for vacation, yet wanted something compact and cheap. This L.A. Girl Eyelux Mesmerizing in Eternalize is perfect for my blue eyes. The colors are very pigmented and blend easily.

The regular price is $5.99, I paid $3.59. It’s really compact and has all the colors I will need.

Clairol Color Crave in Shimmering Bronze was a huge disappointment. The color is copper, not bronze, I only paid $.59 as I had a $4 coupon, and it was on clearance for $5.

I can’t for the life of me wonder how anyone could think this is bronze. Oh well.

I also got some free IT Cosmetics Superhero mascara in super black. It’s a great travel size.

I haven’t posted in awhile. I hope everyone is doing well. I’m reviewing the September 2018 Ipsy glam bag. Ipsy costs $10USD per month. I have had my subscription for a number of years. You get a lot of bang for your buck. You receive 5 items, mostly deluxe samples. Most months you will receive a full size product. I have changed my profile over the years, and have been very happy thus far.

The value of your bag usually exceeds the $10 cost. Luxie Detail Tapered Blender Brush retails for $20USD. Ipsy is great for sending full size make up brushes. I have accumulated quite a few great brushes from Ipsy .

I got two Avocado Masks from Botanicfarm. The website has the cost in Korean currency, so sorry, I don’t have a price for you. Benefit Hoola Bronzer is a deluxe sample, it is a bit smaller than the $16 mini at Ulta. I’ll be giving this away, as it’s too dark for me.

Katherine Natural Cosmetics does not sell this color by itself. The five color palette is $48USD. I got Expresso, which is a dark brown matte color. I think it will work well on my blue eyes. Eva-NYC Satin Dream Leave in Cream this is a deluxe sample, the full price for 5 ounces is $12USD. My hair is very dry right now, so I’m anxious to try this.

Every month you get a cute make up bag. This one is super cute. Check it out.

Pacifica Coconut Blush in Beaming and Tenderheart full size. The darker shade would be nice for contouring and the rosy shade will look nice on my pale skin.

I got a deluxe size of Juliette has a gun perfume by Romano Ricci. It’s a light floral fragrance which smells very much like my favorite, Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana. From what I read, you can mix this with other fragrances. It faded very quickly after I applied it.

I got some Whipped Argan Oil face butter by Josie Maran. I don’t know how whipped it is, but I’m a fan of argan oil overall.

Last but not least I received Eyeko London Travel size skinny liquid eyeliner in black. I’ll be giving this to a friend, as the black is to dark for me.

Ipsy is $10 a month, which includes shipping. You can change your profile, which I have several times over the years. My July bag was valued well over the $10 I spent. As with all of Ipsy glam bags, I got a shimmery teal cosmetic bag too.

Hello and happy Sunday! This primer has been around for awhile, but I just discovered it recently. NYX Studio Perfect Photo-Loving Primer at Ulta for $12.99 USD. I had a coupon so I paid $$9.89 USD. I’ve used Smash Box Photo Finish primer in the past, and this is a total dupe. The Smash Box primer is $36 USD for one ounce, the NYX is one ounce as well.

I’ve tried many primers in the past, but this NYX goes on super smooth and wears all day. I don’t wear much in the way of foundation, other than concealer under my eyes and around my nose. It really blurs lines, pores, etc.

Happy New Year! Welcome from the frozen tundra that is the upper Midwest!

My reflections will be brief as 2017 was not the best year for me. I lost a job I had hoped to retire from, and had two knee surgeries on the same leg. I want nothing more than to put 2017 behind me. 2017 wasn’t all bad, we went on a fun vacation to New Orleans, and our child graduated from high school. My husband and child are happy and healthy, and that’s the best I can hope for.

I haven’t done as many product reviews this year because I have cut back on my spending. The products that were my favorites in 2017 were mostly make up, with some great hygiene products thrown in.

Let’s get started. Clairol Root Touch up $8 USD. This is such a great product. I use to spend so much money having my hair professionally colored. I would get partial highlights and walk out of the salon over $150 poorer (with a generous tip). My hair looked okay having it professionally done, but it wasn’t like anyone ever noticed or complimented me on my hair color. I wear my hair up 80% of the time, and I’m only coloring it every six weeks, just the touch up, I might do my whole head once a year.

My perfect shade!

Dove Dry Spray invisible 48 hr antiperspirant. $6 USD. I used a solid stick for years. This product is pricey but leaves no white marks on your clothing. The fact that’s its 48 hour is weird, but whatever.

No white residue!

Having had two surgeries this year, this Drybar Detox Dry shampoo came in very handy. It’s pricey at $23 USD, but so worth it.

Great scent!

Pantene Air Spray with no alcohol $5 USD. This is a great product, my hair is dry and being alcohol free makes this my go to hair spray. I don’t think I’ve ever paid full price as I’m a big coupon shopper.

Who doesn’t want whiter teeth? I found this Dazzling White whitening pen at Dollar Tree for $1 USD. I have a lot of crowns, so this works really well for me. I’ve seen these at WalMart for $5 USD. You can find some great beauty buys at the dollar store.

L’Oreal Age Perfect Eye Balm $20 USD. 2017 has taken a toll on my poor face. This helps great with under eye circles and wrinkles.

Touch’N Brow eyebrow shapers $1.79 USD at a beauty supply store in the inner city. Menopause and 2017 have not been kind to my face, between hair sprouting out of my nose and covering my face, I would be a mess without these puppies. Shaving your face is also a great exfoliant. I paid $5 USD at Sally Beauty for the same product.

Last but not least L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise mascara $10 USD. This has been a game changer for me. I wear glasses, and this mascara really makes your lashes stand out. I use blackest-brown. It’s easy to remove, and I haven’t paid full price for it yet. I have 6 tubes stashed for the next year or so.

Thank you so much for stopping by, and I hope everyone has a great 2018!

Hello! Happy Saturday! I’ve been MIA for awhile, as I’m recovering from surgery. A bright point this past week was receiving my November Ipsy glam bag.

I liked most everything I got, which usually isn’t the case. I had a heck of a time finding pricing for everything I received. Ipsy costs $10 a month. You get five products, and your selection is based on your personal profile. I have changed mine several times over the years. Most of the products are deluxe sample size, but I always get at least one full size product. This month I got three full size products! Sweet!

Here is what I got:

Don’t know why it is sideways, must be the pain meds I’m on. Ha ha! Ipsy is great about sending make up brushes. I got a tapered highlight brush from slmissglam. It’s so cute with it blue handle and blue rhinestones. Next up is a gorgeous bronze loose eye shadow by Naked Cosmetics in Mother Nature. It has tiny flecks of green and I can’t wait to try it on my blue eyes. It retails for $14.99.

I’ve gotten many lip products from Colorpop over the years. This month I got Ultra Satin Lip color in Calypso. It’s a pretty pinky nude that retails for $6, this is full size.

I got a lip balm by Skyn Iceland Berry Lip fix, it was a deluxe sample, and just okay.

I also got a deluxe sample of IT Cosmetics CC+ foundation in light. I have used this before and it offers great full coverage and also can be used for a concealer.

All in all, I definitely got my money’s worth this month. Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Saturday! Ulta is my favorite store. Lately I’ve cut down on my spending, so I haven’t visited in a while.

I’m a Ulta rewards member so I got a 20% off your entire purchase coupon recently. The coupon included everything in the store. This only happens a few times a year, and it’s for rewards members only.

I needed a few things and had a bunch of coupons as well that were expiring soon.

I got $115 worth of stuff for $66! Some people may think clipping coupons is for old folks. Well if that is the case, count me in!

Here is what I got:

I got Garnier Micellar Water this stuff is flipping awesome! I’ve been using this for several years. It’s easy to use and really takes off all of your make up. I paid $4.15 for each bottle. The regular price is $8.99.

I love Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil in number 1. I paid $19.22, regular price $24. I usually stay away from higher end cosmetics, but this pencil works great for my skimpy brows.

Next up Burt’s Bees lip shimmer in Caramel. Regular price $4.99, I paid $3.99. This is a great balm to use under lipstick or just by itself. Plus it tastes like peppermint, so it freshens your breath.